ABSTRACT

Violence against women and children, particularly child sexual abuse (CSA) remains a critical public health, human rights, and humanitarian-related issue in South Africa. The research base is largely under-developed in South Africa, given the intense stigmatisation of CSA, low-disclosure rates and inherent barriers to accessing perpetrators for research purposes. An in-depth qualitative study was conducted with twelve males who had sexually abused children in a therapeutic, rehabilitation programme. Thematic analysis based on two years of recurrent interviews during the therapeutic intervention illustrates their experiences, histories and factors compounding their journeys as victims toward perpetration. We present four themes; Familial abuse and maltreatment; Powerlessness, fear and abandonment; Sexualised lives and sexual abuse experiences; and Powerlessness and lasting impact of exposure to and perpetration of CSA. Findings illustrate unique sex offending trajectories from victimisation to perpetration, particular to the South African context. We present broad and contextual recommendations for research, policy, restorative justice, and practice.

摘要

针对妇女和儿童的暴力行为，特别是儿童性虐待 (CSA) 仍然是南非的一个重要公共卫生、人权和人道主义相关问题。鉴于对 CSA 的强烈污名化、低披露率以及为研究目的而接触肇事者的固有障碍，该研究基地在南非基本上不发达。对 12 名在治疗和康复计划中对儿童进行性虐待的男性进行了深入的定性研究。基于治疗干预期间两年反复采访的主题分析说明了他们作为受害者走向犯罪的经历、历史和因素。我们提出四个主题; 家庭虐待和虐待；无力、恐惧和遗弃；性生活和性虐待经历；接触和实施 CSA 的无力感和持久影响。调查结果说明了从受害到犯罪的独特性犯罪轨迹，特别是在南非的背景下。我们为研究、政策、恢复性司法和实践提出了广泛的、符合背景的建议。